Hebrews 3:1-4:13
Introduction:
1. The writer now warns the Hebrew Christians that a return to Moses’ Law represents rebellion against God akin to their forefathers in the wilderness (Numbers 13-14).
2. As they were forbidden entry into God’s promised rest long ago, so would these Christians fail to enter the rest that remains if they turned back from Christ.
Discussion:
I. Jesus: Greater Than Moses (3:1-6)
A. To the Jew, Moses and his law were difficult pillars to release (Matthew 17:1-9; Acts 10-11; 15:1-33; Galatians 2:11-14; 4:21-31; etc.).
B. The writer proves Jesus’ superiority to Moses.
1. As Moses was sent to deliver their fathers from Egyptian slavery, Jesus was sent to deliver them from slavery to sin and death (cf. 2:5-18; Romans 6:1-7, 16-18).
2. Moses’ work of revelation foreshadowed the revelation through Christ (3:5; Romans 3:19-22; Galatians 3:23-25).
3. Moses was faithful as a member of God’s house, but Jesus is the builder of His house.
C. Being the house of God Jesus built (cf. 1 Timothy 3:15) depends on holding fast to the end.
II. The Failure of Their Fathers (3:7-4:6)
A. Now the writer parallels their potential turning from Jesus with the wilderness rebellion.
B. Because of fear of what lay ahead, Israel decided to turn back to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4).
C. Due to various pressures, the Hebrews were pondering a similar turn (10:36-39; 12:1-3).
D. Three times the writer warns against hardening their hearts as in that rebellion (3:7-8, 15; 4:7).
E. The wilderness rebellion became a paradigm of rebellion (Psalms 95:7-11; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13).
F. We find several things to avoid to keep from falling into a spirit of rebellion.
1. Failing to hear the Lord’s word causes the heart to harden (3:7-8; Psalms 95:7-9).
2. The rebellion that provokes God’s wrath is a byproduct of:
a. Evil hearts (3:12)
b. Born of unbelief (3:15-19)
c. Which effectively calls God’s integrity into question (3:9-11, 15-19; 4:2, 6).
III. Striving to Enter His Rest (3:13-14; 4:1-3, 6-13)
A. Knowing these things in advance, the writer urges the readers to act decisively.
B. Having stated negative things to avoid, now the writer gives positive steps to take to hold fast.
1. Exhort one another daily; there is strength in numbers (cf. 10:24-25).
2. Unlike those who fell in the wilderness, we must trust God’s promise of rest (4:1-3,6-10).
3. Let that trust/faith drive us to strive (lit. make haste, hurry, be eager) to enter it (4:11).
4. Recognize that any attempt to conceal thoughts and deeds is futile (4:12-13; Job 34:21; Psalms 139:7-12; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Conclusion:
1. Having previously set forth the reasons Christ is worthy of reverence, the writer has now set forth some of the consequences of turning from Him.
2. Armed with this knowledge, how can we entertain the idea of turning from Christ to any other way of life?
3. May we urge one another on as we strive to enter His rest together.
Further Food for Thought
1. Have you ever found yourself putting God to the test by not trusting in Him?
2. Do you ever struggle to recognize how critical your encouragement is to others in their efforts to hold fast their confession?
3. How can we improve our collective efforts to urge one another on better?